The Masked Stranger

Chapter 16

Jade’s P.O.V

The next day I was awoken by Apollo early in the morning for training.

“Apollo, it's too early for this crap.” I complained, still rubbing the sleep out of my eyes as he dragged me along behind him holding my hand making sure I didn't run into anything.

“Nonsense, if you are going to survive those who wish you harm you are going to need to learn how to protect yourself for I won’t always be around to protect you, it’s not like I can be around you every second of everyday so learning how to protect oneself is of vital importance. Once you get your powers and know how to control them, protecting yourself will be easier, but until that time comes learning how to use a sword should be your priority.” He said as he led me outside to the training yard. I yawned and stretched before sighing and taking a sword off of the rack and taking it over to the wooden dummy I had been practicing on previously.

“Oh you don’t need to practice on that anymore from today onwards you’ll be practicing on me once you can beat me in a sword fight I know you’ll be able to protect yourself enough.” He tells me before also picking up a sword.

“Um, are you sure about this? Don’t you think this is dangerous? What if one of us gets hurt?” I ask him.

“Worry not I will make certain I don’t actually hurt you after all it is a familiars duty to protect their charge. When it comes to hurting me however while you can cause me physical pain it is impossible for me to die so long as you are alive or even any of my charges.” He replies. I found his answer odd.

“Wait, so do you mean that you’ll still feel the pain of any injury I cause?” I stared at him concerned.

“Well of course I’ll still feel the pain, however it is a familiar’s duty to devote themself to gaurding and guiding their charge. So the potential pain you might cause me will be well worth it if it means protecting you.” He said a small smile on his face as he stared at the sword in his left hand.

“Apollo, why are you so willing to protect me when you hardly know me?” I asked him as I began running through the possibilities in my head.

“Why you ask, well it’s because I signed a contract with your mother and once a familiar signs a contract in their blood to devote themself to protecting their charge it creates a bond that shall last as long as that family line exists. I signed a contract with your mother because she was the most wonderful person I had ever met. She was kind and strong but in a gentle way she didn’t need her powers to be strong because her strength came from her heart. You are her daughter and while I might not have been able to protect her I will make sure to protect you and part of that is making sure you can protect yourself so let us begin to train even if it causes me pain it will be worth it.” He said as he held up his sword ready to spar. I nodded my head in acceptance. Who knew familiar’s had such a bond with their charges just because of a contract in a little blood. It’s a scary thought yet it’s sweet that he cares so much.

After training for several hours I collapsed onto the ground out of sheer exhaustion. I had never in my life been so tired. I panted trying to catch my breath.

“Are you alright I’m guessing that your body is feeling overworked, after all you still only have human strength since none of your powers have awakened perhaps I should adjust the way we spar until-”

“No.” I interrupted him. “You’re right, I need to be able to protect myself from whoever wants to hurt me, so I need to train as hard as I can, no matter how many times I collapse no matter how tired I am. It might take some time, but I can get used to it.” I said after standing up and looking him in the eyes.

“If that is what you wish I shall support you, but for now I think you should rest especially if you insist we do this again tomorrow.” He said as he took my sword and his, placing both of them back on the wooden rack.

“Okay I guess you make a fair point.” I agreed.

I spent a good portion of the day sleeping after that before there was a knock on my door. I stood up and opened the door only to see nobody there, just a little girl who looked a lot like me just with red eyes. She ran down the hallway and I started following her wondering why she had knocked on my door.

“Wait, come back, don’t go. Why are you running?” I asked her but she gave no response. She just kept leading me through the castle before we were outside in the gardens and she pointed at a flower with purple leaves and a blue center with a red stripe in the middle of each petal. The stem of the flower wasn’t green like most flowers but then again this is a different planet instead the stem was gold. She just kept pointing at the flower almost like she wanted me to do something with it. Just as I reached for the flower I felt my body jerk upward and I was sitting up in my bed still in my room.

“What the, that was weird.” I whispered. Was that whole ordeal just a dream? I got out of bed and went to the garden where I saw my father reading a book.

“Violetta hello, might I ask what you are doing out here this late?” He looked at me surprised.

“Well to be honest I’m not quite sure, but I am kind of looking for something, a flower.” I said.

“Well considering this is a garden I’m afraid you’ll need to elaborate more on that at least if you want help finding it.” He stated.

“Oh right that would probably help.” I mentally face palmed myself.”Um let’s see it had purple petals with red stripes and a golden stem that’s all I can remember about it.” I said rubbing my temples trying to think of any of the other details.

“Well I’m not sure if a flower like that exists, well not off the top of my head, but here’s an idea how about you go to the castle’s library there are several books on flowers and other flora in there that might be of some use to you.” He mentioned.

“Thanks, I'll be sure to look there to see if it has what I'm looking for.” I thanked him then left. I went to the library.

I spent the next four days in the library searching for a book that had the flower I was looking for along with my usual training sessions with Apollo. The first day I scoured the shelves and collected all of the books on plants and flowers that I possibly could. The second day I was only able to read two of the books all the way through. The third day I switched to the more effective method of gutting a book by only reading the first and last paragraphs of each page. The fourth day I had started wondering if that flower was even here in a book so I began skimming the different books which resulted in getting through a lot so I decided then I would skim on the fifth day. However on the fifth day of searching I found a book that contained the exact flower I saw in my dream. According to the book it was a flower called the Synroshe blossom. The book contained all sorts of information on the flower like the fact that it’s highly potent to accelerate the rate at which a Kova and other magical creatures transform. After learning that information I went straight to Apollo.

Once I found Apollo at the training grounds I ran over to him.

“Apollo, I have a question for you.” I asked as I held the book in my hand and showed the synroshe blossom page to him. “Do you know what a Synroshe blossom is?” I asked.

“Synroshe blossom I believe you have a very ancient book in your hands for it to still be using the old language of the planet. I didn't think anyone still referred to things in ancient Dorvailian. The translated name is Night blossom and it’s poisonous. So why are you going on about it?” He asked me, giving me a suspicious look.

“Well the book did say it is poisonous if you eat or touch the petals, however after reading the third paragraph it says that by boiling the stem and drinking the liquid it can accelerate a transformation for magical creatures.”I told him, showing him exactly where I read it from.

“You don’t say, huh this could prove useful. It would certainly help you unlock your Kova abilities, it might even help you access your powers as a witch. Here let me see the book for a moment.” I handed him the book and he read it over. His eyes shined then he closed the book and grabbed my wrist dragging me along behind him. We went to the garden.

“Apollo what are we doing here?” I asked figuring he was looking for the flower.

“We are here to find that flower, then I’ll boil the stem and you are going to drink it.” He said proving to me that my guess was right about why we were in the garden. Soon we found the flower and he used a handkerchief to pick the flower and another to pick the top half of the flower off before we headed to a weird tower that connected to the castle through a corridor. He knocked on the tower door and we were greeted by a man who looked about the same age as Apollo just with extreme bags under his green eyes and very light long blond hair almost white he was wearing a grey robe with green stripes on the sides of it and brown boots.

“What do you want Apollo?” The man asked us.

“The princess and I need your help boiling this stem from a night blossom Crenen.” Apollo said as he and the other guy glared at each other.

“Well if the princess wants me to, I can do anything.” the man said before taking my hand and kissing it earning an eye roll from Apollo.

Apollo handed Crenen the flower stem and he put it in a pot of water to boil.

“I’m surprised, Apollo, that you can’t boil a little flower. How sad.” Crenen said to Apollo, obviously taunting him.

“For the record I can boil a flower, it just so happens that the princess is going to drink this flower so I thought it best to have an actual alchemist boil it to ensure it is safe for her. Let’s just hope you aren’t too incompetent at your job.” Apollo fired back at him.

“Oh so you intend to accelerate her transformation into a Kova.” Crenen said, causing Apollo and I both to nod before he let us in and put the stem on to boil in a pot.

Soon the stem was done boiling and I drank the liquid after it cooled off. It tasted sweet but not too overpowering. It was like a subtle sweetness. I then felt a strong pang in my chest and I fell to the ground and began gasping for air.

“What’s wrong with her?” Apollo asked, panicked.

“Relax, it's just a temporary side effect of drinking the boiled stem.” Crenen told him. Soon that feeling passed and Apollo helped me stand up.

“Your eyes they’re turning red. That must mean it’s working quickly. We need to get you to the blood room and find your father.” Apollo said before helping me walk. Apollo and I went to find Lawrence then went to the room.

***

We were walking down a dimly lit corridor trying to get me to the room that had blood in it, when suddenly I felt some sort of energy flow through me. I almost tripped, but I managed to catch myself. I didn’t know what was going on. But now I felt stronger, more powerful.

Lawrence quickly pulled me into a large room, before closing the door behind us. I looked around the room only to see several machines pumping blood, and for some reason I actually didn’t mind it. Probably because I’m part vampire. I walked over to one of the machines. I don’t know why, but for some reason I was drawn to this specific one. The smell, it was like nothing I’d ever smelled before. It smelled sweet like it was chocolate or something, except this was stronger.

Just then my body started shaking, I felt a drilling pain in my head. My teeth felt as though someone was trying to yank them out with a pair of pliers.

“Ahhh” I put my hands to my head, I felt a calm painful feeling wash over me. Before I knew it I was on my knees screaming and writhing in agony.

After several minutes the pain subsided. I slowly stood to my feet and walked over to the blood pumping machine, drinking a pouch filled with blood.

****

After a while of being in the room I drank two small pouches of blood, before Lawrence spoke.“It’s a good thing humans are banned from living in Kovailia.”

“Wait, why?” I asked.

“We are known as the land of the vampires so for human safety they are not permitted to live here. We as vampires are also not permitted to drink from humans directly. We set up a blood donation program and humans willingly donate their blood so that we Kova or vampires have food. It helps to keep things peaceful.”

“Wow, that's smart.”

I had started drinking blood without knowing I was doing it.

“You didn’t even realize you were drinking the blood until now did you?” Lawrence asks me.

“I guess I’m just gonna have to learn how to control it,” I tell him.

“I guess so, and since that’s the case we should start by helping you figure out what your abilities are,” he says

“Abilities?” I question him.

“Yes, every Kova has abilities,”

“Like what?” I ask.

“Like super strength, speed, inhumane agility, the ability to dull your emotions and have enhanced emotion, dream manipulation, compulsion, immortality, accelerated healing, and photographic memory. Those are the powers that every Kova has, but most also have their own unique gifts,” he says.”But some of them you only get one of for example you can either have enhanced or dulled emotions not both and you either have compulsion or accelerated healing and lastly either dream manipulation, or photographic memory.”

“Wait, if I’m a vampire, how come sunlight hasn’t killed me?” I ask curiously.

“That is a myth, sunlight can’t kill us. It’ll hurt like nothing else, if you were an earth vampire it has the potential to kill you, but we Kova are far more durable than earth vampires, but sunlight can’t kill you. But seeing as how you're also a witch you're probably immune to sunlight pain.” he says as he walks over to blood on the wall and drinks some.

“Do you know what kind of powers my witch side has?” I ask him hoping he does.

“I’m afraid not, I don’t know the powers you’ll have. Your mother once told me that witches have different powers tailored to each witch, so I really don’t know,” he admits.

“Well what about weaknesses?” I ask, hoping there aren't a lot.

“Well since you're a witch I honestly don’t know your weaknesses, or if you even have any,” he tells me.

“So you don’t know if I have any weaknesses?”

“Nope, sorry,”

“I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing,” I say honestly.

“Me either,” he replies quietly.

“Well I’m gonna retire to bed, it’s almost morning, I’ll see you when I wake up,” he says before leaving the room.

***

After a while of being in the room drinking blood it was early in the morning, when I decided I had drunk enough blood. I left the room and as soon as I walked out of the room Apollo grabbed my hand and started pulling me somewhere.

“Where the heck are we going?” I asked as he dragged me.

“To Dorvailia, we are meeting a witch who is going to help you figure out your powers.” he tells me as I almost run into a wall. Within five minutes of walking he opened the portal to Dorvailia and we were sucked in.

As soon as we got out of the portal I landed on my knees in a pile of dirt.

“I really gotta learn how to master landing on my feet after getting out of that thing,” I say before standing up and dusting off my light kapri jeans.

“Come on,” Apollo says before grabbing my hand and dragging me again.

Soon we reached a large wooden house, and we saw three women come out.

“I told you they were here Adara,” one of them said.

“Oh hush Artemis,” another said.

“Both of you be quiet, you're giving me a headache,” the last one said.

“Apollo, it’s so good to see you,” one of them came over and hugged Apollo, before turning to me.

“Violetta, my how you’ve grown, last time I saw you, you were just a baby. You’ve grown up beautifully,” she tells me as she grabs my hair and starts stroking it along with caressing my face.

“Thanks, but who exactly are you?” I asked her as I took a step back.

“Oh pardon, where are my manners? I am Anala and those two over there are Adara and Artemis. We’re witches and old friends of your mother’s,” She says before the one with blonde hair spoke up.

“I’m Artemis, I’m gonna help you learn how to use your powers,” she says as the one I’m guessing who’s named Adara walks over to us.

“I’ll be teaching you how to make potions,” she tells me.

“And I’ll be teaching you how to cast spells,” Anala says, before they all lead me into the house as Apollo walks the opposite direction.

“Apollo” I called his name.

“Yes,” he says.

“Where are you going?” I ask him.

“Relax, I'm just going to tell your father that you're training here with them.”

“Okay,” I tell him before following Anala and the others into the house. Oddly enough even though I haven’t known Apollo very long I felt very safe around him. Maybe it’s because he’s my familiar. I felt a little on edge walking into the witches house without him with me. Apollo please come back soon, I don’t want to be alone with strangers.

Anala showed me around the house that their coven lives in as I anxiously waited for Apollo to return.

“This is the Kitchen, where you will learn how to make potions with Adara.” She showed me then led me up stairs that were across the hallway from the kitchen. She led me up to a large room I guessed was the attic.

“This is the Attic and your bedroom for next year.” She said to me.

“Wait what, a year, I don’t think I can stay that long, I have to go back to earth.” I replied, confused by the large amount of time.

“Oh don’t worry about that I’m sure Apollo or someone has told you that time works differently here then it does there right?” She asked a little unsure.

“I suppose someone could have told me, if they did I forgot I have been really focused on my training lately.”I told her. Soon Apollo teleported into the room scaring me half to death.

“Well someone’s jumpy, What are we doing in the Attic?” He asked Anala.

“I was showing her where she’ll be sleeping for the next year while she’s training here.”

“Oh good, so where is my bed?” He asked Anala and I looked at him funny.”Well obviously I can afford to not sleep in the same room as her in her father’s castle, but this is no castle I need to be close enough to protect her at all times and that includes when you sleep.” He said, directing the last bit at me.

“Fine, but try not to be too annoying.” I said before walking towards the window and looking outside only to see a lake a little ways away. Well at least this room has a nice view. I can’t believe I’ve already been on this planet for who knows how long my guess is two weeks.

James’s P.O.V

It’s been a day since the incident in my office with my windows, but Jayden still hasn’t calmed down. He really misses his mate, and so do I. I haven't seen Jade in four days, I really miss her. I swear as soon as I find the bastards that took her I’m gonna kill them all. Next thing I know Mason walks into my room with my delta, or third in command Colby.

“Alpha,” They both say as they walk into the room.

“Has the Luna been tracked down yet?” Colby asks me.

“I haven’t found them yet, and it’s driving me crazy,” I tell them before pouring myself a glass of water.

“Well the pack warriors are ready to-” I quickly cut him off with my hand.

“If we go in there guns blazing, there’s a good chance they'll kill her, and that’s not a risk I’m willing to take,” I say, taking a large gulp of water, before putting the glass down on my desk and leaning against the wall.

“James is right Colb, we can’t just walk in there and get her, they could kill her, we need to be cautious and wise.” Mason speaks up.

“So what's the plan then?” Colby asks.

“Honestly, I have no idea, but I do know one thing. The pack warriors aren’t all that should be training, we need everyone training.” I say before sitting at my desk.

“Wait, so are we bringing everyone to get the Luna, cause that doesn’t seem like a smart idea.” Mason says.

“No, but everyone does need training, just in case. For some reason I have a bad feeling and I think it would be wise to have everyone trained, including the pups even if it’s just self defence.” I say before they both nod their heads and leave the room. I promise Jade wherever you are I will find you and bring you back.

Jade’s P.O.V

I’ve been with the witches for two months in Dorvailian time and right now I’m practicing spells with Anala.

“When casting a spell, you need to use passion and you need to believe it’ll work so try again.” Anala tells me.

“Lux ego summonitories thee, Praesidio et circumdantibua mihi.Lux ego summonitories thee, Praesidio et circumdantibua mihi.Lux ego summonitories thee, Praesidio et circumdantibua mihi!” I say finishing the spell. When I look up I see a huge bright light shining above me.

“Well you mastered the light spell, now turn it off.” Anala says.

“I can’t, you haven’t told me how to turn it off yet,” I tell her.

“Oh it’s simple you just say the word off in Latin, you say off in whatever language the spell is in.”

“Are you kidding? I don't know Latin!” I tell her, confused.

“Funny considering the spell was in Latin,” she says.

“Okay listen to me say prohibere, it’s stop in latin,” she tells me.

“Prohibere!” I yelled, causing the light to stop.

“Good, now let’s practice another spell, hmm, oh I know how about a storm spell, you should find one in the spell book.” She tells me, I turn pages in the book until I see the spell.

“Ventus et maria partum a ventum, mittere quod volantes super mihi.” I say the spell then I look up to see a hurricane.

“Wrong spell, that’s a hurricane spell!!!!” Anala yells angrily.

“Well how was I supposed to know I can’t read freaking Latin, how do I turn it off?”

“You don’t, that’s the whole point of a hurricane spell, there’s a spell to stop it, but it’s beyond your level, and mine.” she yells.

I then instantly flip through the pages of the book, to find the spell to stop the hurricane.

“We’ll see if it’s beyond my level,” I yell.

“Ventus et maria ego mandatum vos to sit ire autem hac ventum!!!!” I yell the spell with all the power of my being. Next thing I know a flash of lighting strikes and the water and wind have stopped.

“Y...you did it, you stopped the hurricane, but h...how I can’t even do that spell?” Anala asks.

“I guess it works better if you're a Dorvailian witch,” I say, turning to her.

“No, it’s more than that, come on, we need to get you to Artemis, now.” She says then grabs my hand dragging me behind her.